Daniel Sturridge is among the top five or six strikers in the world, according to former Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard.
The 24-year-old Liverpool forward enters the World Cup in good form after scoring 21 goals in 29 Premier League appearances last season, earning a spot in the PFA team of the year.
Roy Hodgson is expected to partner Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney in attack for England as the Three Lions bid to emerge from a group containing Costa Rica, Italy and Uruguay.
Sturridge at the minute – he is as good as anything. He is in the top five or six strikers in the world
Jimmy Bullard
And retired Bullard, who has just released his autobiography called ‘Bend It Like Bullard’, rates Sturridge among the very best strikers that will be at the major tournament in Brazil next month.
“We’ve got goals up top. The pace on Sturridge,” Bullard told The Sport Review.
“Sturridge at the minute – he is as good as anything. He is in the top five or six strikers in the world.
“You watch when he gets the ball up top, he’s sharp. He isn’t afraid.”
Bullard also urged Brendan Rodgers to sign Adam Lallana “sharpish” after the former Fulham man backed the Southampton captain to take the World Cup by storm .
“He has to go and get him – an absolute player. I’m having him. [Roy] Hodgson has to be looking to play Lallana from the start [at the World Cup]. He is unbelievable,” Bullard told The Sport Review.
The former Wigan Athletic star continued: “He will be [a star]. Believe me. If he plays as well as I think at the World Cup, Brendan will want to get him sharpish because there will be a lot more clubs after him following the World Cup.”
‘Bend It Like Bullard by Jimmy Bullard, out now – priced £16.99’